London England's LiveJournal

So- to those of you who still live in this state:

Come over. My apartment has (mostly) been moved into: it is super cute. I love it tons. I have ceramic parrots and a vegetable table cloth. I have tea towels. I don't have very many dishes but its enough to cook you dinner. So come over, hang out. It will be fun.

I have missed everyone so much while I have been gone.

America is so weird but its so good to be home.

Monday, August 21st, 2006

I just had the most amazing weekend of my life. We took hte train to Edinburgh, and went straight to Edinburgh castle. That castle is 1350 years old and is incredible. It was so much fun. Then we went and checked into our hostel, and took a nap. We ate huge portions of relatively cheap food, two pitchers of alcohol before wandering around town watching street performers and admiring hte gorgeous and really old architecture. Later we did a guided ghost walk that was so much fun, but so scary. I didn't think I would enjoy it because I hate scary movies but it was great. At midnight there were fireworks over the castle that were just breath taking. Then we went to bed. Sunday morning we woke up early, ate some free breakfast, and saw Holyroodhouse Palace which is the queen's favorite residence. Afterwards we did some touristy shopping: I bought a scottish thistle christmas ornament. Then we saw more street performers, got lunch and more pitchers of booze, and went to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead which is the most amazing piece of absurdist post world war two literature and I love it very much. It feels incredibly contemporary and hte show was incredible: we sat first row. There were some frightening strobe effects but... oh my god. Wonderful. Then we caught the train home. Our trip coincided with the biggest fringe theatre festival, cultural festival, music festival and military festivals (in total 7 independent festivals in one city) in EUROPE! It was just mindblowing. I'm still exhausted.

It is weird feeling like I returned home... when... I just got back to London.

Thursday, August 17th, 2006

Friday, August 4th, 2006

Thursday, August 3rd, 2006

Most of the time England feels just like America until random things happen that make me think... damn... I'm not from around here. Like some people say "London" with this familiarity that I feel like I must know them and htey couldn't possibly say the name of hte city with that kind of concern... but its not to be. Or the fact taht £1 is a coin- so I've accumulated a lot of them because I'm more prone to spending cash. I have almust $40 in coins in my hello kitty wallet. Sad day.

But I know the tube well now and my neighborhood is quite cute. I'm also getting used to hte constant smell of pot in the house. It also doesn't feel offensive anymore that our homestay can't always remember our names... oh well!

Two other kids in the program and I are going out to Edinburgh, Scotland in a week and a half for this huge fringe festival thats supposedly one of the biggest in Europe so that will be fun. We're staying in a "party hostel" which will be entertaining to say the least.

One thing I'll miss in America: pubs. We go out a few nights a week, we each get a drink- sit around late in these cozy old rooms drinking god knows what until all hours. And I'm the youngest person by two years- everyone else can drink or will be able to in the next 3 months... so... everynoe else can hang out the same way in the US, but I'll miss everyone...!

Speaking of, I miss you all. Hope all summers are going well.

Tuesday, July 25th, 2006

My god this city is wonderful. Sometimes its like coming home. We live with a pair of aging hippy total pot heads which is new and differant but they are totally sweet and mild so thats great.

I have officially conquered the underground which is fabulous.

The walking around has been wonderful but it is so hot and we always end up lookin so gross but the city is wonderful and every corner you turn you find some more lovely restuarants and quaint shops. London isn't one city- its a series of connected townships so everywhere is so differant from each other neighborhoods. Stores too are funny because they are much more specialized then our groceries or block stores at home. You have to go to a particular store to get fruit, meat, fish, supplies, and another is all toiletries.

Our professor was super late today- he lives in the country and the trains are a tricky to catch because they apparently break down a lot, etc. But he led us on a glorious romp around London- we went to Regent's park and hiked Primrose Hill- the only hill in London which gave us such a great view. Wonderful. Most of our classes are spent simply walking around talking about the sights.

We went to our first pub last night, and let me tell you on mondays they are pretty dead. But we found a cute moderately historic one and I had half a pint of Strong Bow Cider. We were there for two hours and thats all the farther I got. Our pub crawl is Thursday and a few of us are intending to split half pints because we are all so wimply. The cider was good but I won't say great. Maybe I'll find something better: unlikely. But being 18 in England is kindof fun.

Email me and hope alls well in the USA.

Wednesday, May 10th, 2006

So, if anyone wants to hear the most exciting thing ever... it is that I GOT INTO THE BUSINESS SCHOOL! Oh fudging goodness that was scarier than applying to college (because I was lame and lazy about that), because my GPA is ugly, my essays were funny (not deep), etc. etc., but I am not not only a business major but an entrepraneurship major. (Long word.) Oh, yeah. So fucking excited.

And, in other news...

Are AP tests done? Because I want to come visit- but not if you're studying. If they are done Please tell me and tell me what classes ya'al have because I'll probably be around Friday... so... let me know.

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Tuesday, April 4th, 2006

Yesterday's post may have been angsty but here is my plea for you all to send me any good vibes you have lying around.

I did something 4 minutes ago even scarier (for me) than applying to college.

I applied to the University of Washington Business School. (With a concentration in entrapraneurship.) Odds are in my favor, but are far from absolute. I need all the good mojo I can get.

Thank you.

Good day.

Monday, April 3rd, 2006

Tuesday, March 28th, 2006

To everyone that is getting their college admissions now... CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK! I'm so proud of all of you, and it sounds like a lot of you will be joining me as a Husky. I'm class of 2008, baby.

So I just got back from Hawaii, sorry if we didn't hang out this last week. I wsa ridiculously busy before I left. I have to get my passport, English trip application in, financial application in, business school application in, etc., this week and its pretty darned stressful.

But on an upnote, I got glasses. Apparently I am nearsighted. I didn't realize that my vision could be as crisp as say, a photograph. I thought that was a trick of photography. So this is really exciting to be able to see things like... street signs, and details from more than 8 or ten feet away. Will post photos later.

Life is pretty awesome. Even if I'm tired and stressed. Its still good. And I'm happy.

Monday, March 6th, 2006

So... its official. I am going to England this summer- 5 weeks in London. My mom is looking at plane tickets, I am filling out financial paperwork. Life is good. Plus, I got my IRS refund.

And this quarter is going to kill me.
It has been 2 months since I've been to my calculus class because it put me to sleep so I am trying to learn everything from a crappy book on my own. Its been pretty high-low. Anyway.
I am scared about everything.

Don't get too excited about college, children. As soon as you are in you'll have to start taking placement tests for your applications into your major. Once that is done and you're in you'll have 5 months of rest before you figure out grad school. Then you have to apply to that. And not long after you apply and get your responses you graduate. Go through one last summer of work meanwhile flying back and forth between coasts to figure out where you'll go and live and then you pack up your perfect apartment and hop coasts to start again. At least three more years. And then you're 23 and have your degrees done but have only worked retail and are staring at the world thinking...

Oh my god, what do I do now?

What do I do now?

Monday, February 13th, 2006

Friday, January 20th, 2006

So I'm officially going to England this summer. I'm spending six weeks with the English department in London. Its through homestays and you take three classes and it will be really awesome. The classes are half in classrooms and half exploring town, things like... In X and Y English book of literature they described this character's neighborhood like that. Lets go see it! Okay, do you buy that interpretation or was it fictionalized? Etc. Etc. And I need to get rid of a lot of VLPA credits before I enter the business school next year.

And I am working on my business school application. I'm really thrilled. I'm applying to go into the Accounting specialty. I'm in accounting now and I am going to sound really nerdy... but... I love it. There are rules and systems and I can now make income statements, and balance sheets, and ledgers, and trial balances. I can close books, open accounts, and I'm so excited. In fact, its Friday night. All my friends are going out. And I'm staying here, taking a practice accounting midterm, doing some laundry, and going to bed early.

I'm also spending a week and a half in Hawaii this summer. And most of spring break. My mom is really great. Actually. My mom is really cool: she's jogging like 6 miles a day. Wow. She's super.

Anyway, I love you all. Have a great grey-miserable-rainy Washington day!

Friday, January 6th, 2006

So I feel really terrible. I completely wasted my break. I worked to gosh darned much, which is awesome and all, but I didn't see anyone. I saw Sarah, and I love sarah, but once is never enough with that girl. I didn't see anybody else and everyone is posting these sweet pictures of their time home and party pics and stuff and I can't help but think: I should have made time for that. But I didn't. And I miss everyone, and won't see anybody this summer since I'll be in Europe so somehow I need to work out a better way to keep in contact with everyeone but whatever the case the whole point is...

I miss you all.

Saturday, December 3rd, 2005

A middle aged black man came into our store, he was moderately well dressed and wearing a hat. He had a bag or two so I assumed he was Christmas shopping. I greeted him, asked him how he was, if I could help him. He hesitated. Then said yes. He followed with "Do you know what random acts of kindness are?" I was a little short for words and didn't want to jump to conclusions so I stammered "Yes." He walked forward and set a bag on the table and started to walk away. I was short for breath, biting back tears, I thanked him profusely while sitting in shock and almost automatically asked him to have a good night. At this point he turned around and smiled at me the biggest smile, "Now, I will." He gave me a box of Fran's Chocolates (which if you've shopped there you know they aren't cheap and are fabulous.)

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005

So college is going really well. I'm getting better grades here than I did in high school, which is cool. Less work or maybe about the same. I don't go to all my classes. I don't read many of my books. AND- next quarter I am taking a class called "the nature of sound." I'm so excited. (I needed an extra three credits... lol.)

I miss everyone a bit. Whatever the case I just made the break from "home" earlier and it has worked out insanely well for me. I would go crazy if I were still in high school. Instead I'm really enjoying my time. I do wish I saw more people. I saw Karli here and she kept me sane.

Work happens often. Like... almost 30 hours a week. I feel like I should be getting benefits, lol. But its really fun, it pays well, and when its slow I do my math homework.

Communal showers are icky. Not the other girls, but all the soap build up and if you think the hair in your shower drain at home is bad imagine it being used by 24 girls. Yeah. Ick.

Everytime I call home to tell my dad something we forgot to add to the grocery list I end up cooking more and more of Thanksgiving. At this point I'm doing all of it except pulling the guts on the turkey and maybe the gravy. If I'm not careful, soon I'll do it all. And yes, I am currently making pie, stuffing, potatoes, dressing hte bird, and veggies as well as some snacks. CRAZY! But I'm excited. I'm glazing hte turkey with a sage/maple/butter combo and the pie is an apple cheddar pie. Wow.

But, the weekend after I'm doing a low key enchilada cookoff so if anyone wants enchiladas... which I know you all do, call. I don't work. It will probably be a relatively early supper. And as everyone who came last year knows: these are kick ass enchiladas. So email me and let me know if you're interested, or just respond here, whatev. I hope to see you guys.

Lots of love,
London

(That feels really puny for my whole life in a few months... there was more... it just doesn't feel relevant to this genre anymore. Call, we'll talk about it, lol.)

Saturday, October 1st, 2005

1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, liposuction and air conditioning.

2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans...
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Re-post this if you believe in legalizing gay marriage

Wednesday, September 7th, 2005

Long early morning flight to Hawaii but I'm here. My darling boyfriend drove me- woke up before six! Thank god for love.

Hawaii is fabulous. I've missed my mom, and my aunts are a real trip. Really great women, but a lot to handle. Intense personalities both. So thats four of us in a tiny apartment full of stuff. We're a riot.

Walked around. Saw my mom's store. Cutest Nine West ever, plus full of the most gorgeous employees. One hugged me, and invited me surfing. She looks like Barbie. So cute. So intensely/money/crazy/gorgeous. A good vacation friend but perhaps not long term, she'd be a bit much.

When you walk around Waikiki there are hula girls/boys everywhere. Its fun, its busy, there are so many people everywhere.

The japanese tourists are a riot. They are shoppers. The average Japanese tourist profile (data fromtourist info) is a late 20's early 30's woman, who will spend a few hundred dollars a day. They are shoppers. Very funny. Perfectly pressed aloha shirts, black socks, khaki shorts, leis, all over the men. The women look like expensive hookers or poorly dressed models. Expensive. And no guilt over walking into, infront of, through you on the sidewalk.

Gorgeous beach. Gorgeous surfer boys. Slightly more discouraging lots of gorgeous surfer girls. I'm going to learn to surf and join both crowds.

I love hula kids. I want to teach my children to hula.

And I don't want them to say "pardon me" instead of "what?" That is just vulgar, intrusive, and unflattering, I want perfect doll children with wonderful brains. That hula.

Remember to share addresses. I'm collecting postcards.

Tuesday, September 6th, 2005

So I'm seriously considering commuting for the first quarter and moving into the dorms in december if they will let me. I don't want to have to commute winter quarter because I will be working MASSIVE HOLIDAY HOURS starting ASAP after thanksgiving, because there are only five of us and good husbands buy jewelery for good wives. So... you kids in mukmuk may have more access to me than I had previously believed... I hope not. I hope I can get an apartment, because right now both my loans and my HOUSE are on hold. Which sucks. I wish there was some more definitive, concrete, info in the world.

I go to Hawaii tomorrow morning early, but today I work in seattle until late. So... a lot of you said you wanted postcards/etc. but you can't have 'em unless I get your address... make sense?

I feel like my whole world has become very lighthearted and frivolous and not at all a thinking being. I am reading junk, working long hours, and doing nothing deep. I'm tired. I'm sick. And my hand embroidery is rocking my world.